Window-operating mechanism.



A. K. LOVELL.

WINDOW OPERATlNG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.2!.1914. I wmw Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

my y/ 8? m '1? Hlkmucl A.K.IOVELL WINDOW OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2I| 19M.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

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2 SHEETS ALBERT K. LOVELL, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

WINDOW-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. T2, 1916..

Application filed March 21, 1914. Serial No. 826,184.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT K. LOVELL, of the town of New Haven, in the county of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, United States of America, inventor, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window-Operating Mechanism; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a window frame with the interior casing removed, and having a pair of sliding sashes in the closed position with operating chain gearing and locking devices embodying my im rovements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation 0 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section through the frame on the line 3, 3 of Fig. l with the upper sash lowered to exhibit both sashes in plan view, and showing the method of attaching them to their chains. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the operating mechanism of one modification of the invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section through the operating gearing of Fig. 1 taken in the plane of the common axis thereof. Fig. 7 is a cross section through the sprocket 3 of the upper sash and its locking pawls on the line 7, 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the sprocket 4 of the lower sash and its hearing in the frame, shown from the front, and in part.

My invention relates to window operating mechanism and it has for its object to provide improved chain mechanism for actuating window sashes singly or collectively and securing them automatically in any position.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of sashes and operating chains or cables for actuating the sashes in the direction of their travel, and locking devices for holding them locked at any point of their movement; and in the novel construction of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, 100 designates a two-sash window frame having the upper and lower sashes 200 and 300 respectively arranged to slide vertically in suitable guideways on the sides of jambs in the ordinary and well-known manner.- Underneath the window frame, supported therefrom or on the building, as desired, is a plate or mounting 400, somewhat longer than the width of the frame, which supports the journal bearings of a pair of independent sprockets or chain wheels 3 and 4 arranged on a common axis transverse to the frame but respectively in the planes of the upper and lower sashes. At the ends of the plate on the sides corresponding to the inside of the building are pivotally mounted pulleys 5, in the same plane as the sprocket 4, and with their axes transverse to the frame, and similar pulleys 6, in this instance are placed above and interior to the pulleys 5, are similarly pivotally mounted on the plate in the same plane as the pulleys 5 and therefore also in the plane of the sprocket wheel 4.

At the upper end of the Window frame, on each side thereof is mounted a bracket 7, pivotally supporting a pulley 8 in the same vertical plane as the pulleys 5 and 6 and the sprocket wheel 4, and having its outer side vertically over the outer side of the corresponding pulley 5. The several pulleys and sprocket thus arranged comprise a system, which carries an endless chain 9, passing over the upper side of the sprocket, under and upwardly on the outer sides of the pulleys 6 over the pulleys 8 and down on the outer sides thereof to the outer sides of the pulleys 5, crossing from one of said pulleys 5 to the other on the lower side of the sprocket as fully shown in Fig. 1. A similar set of pulleys and chain are arranged to comprise a similar system with reference to the plane of the upper sash and sprocket 3, namely, the pulleys 55 corresponding to the pulleys 5, the pulleys 66 corresponding to the pulleys 6, all similarly mounted on the outer side of the plate 400, or that corresponding to the outside of the building and the pulleys 88 corresponding to the pulleys 8, preferably pivotally mounted on axes independent of the pulleys 8, supported by the fixture 77 for the purpose of adjusting the tension of each chain separately by bodily movement of the pulley on its supporting bracket during the installation of the system. The endless chain 99, corresponding to the chain 9 is mounted similarly thereto on its system of pulleys and the sprocket 3, preferably passing across between the pulleys 66 under the sprocket similarly as the chain 9 is shown in Fig. 4. Each of the said chains therefore extends in two parts or spans across below the frame, and on each side thereof, forming a loop or bight at each side of the frame, each bight comprising an outer span, A, and an inner span, E, considered with respect to the central vertical transverse plane of the sashes. In operation, the rotation of a sprocket by any means, will convey its corresponding chain around the system of pulleys, with its outer and inner spans on the respective sides of theframe traveling uniformly in the same direction, as designed by the arrows in Fig. 1. Thus arranged, if the respective sides of a sash are attached to said respective outerand' inner spans of a chain on the respective sides of the frame that is, those that travelin the same direction, the rotation of the corresponding sprocket will operate the sash in its guide-ways, and raise or lower it, as required.

The respective chains, 9 and 99, pertaining respectively to the lower sash and upper sash are connected. thereto and adapted to operate the same as follows: From the respective lower corners of the lower sash, arms 11 and 12 project horizontally through slots 13 in the frame extending substantially the length of the travel of the sash and are respectively fastened at their ends to the inner and outer spans of the respective bights of the chain 9, or those that travelin like direction, as shown in Fig. 1. Supposing the lower sash to be closed as shown in said Fig. 1, turning the sprocket to'the right hand direction will therefore raise said sash, and the reverse movement will close it when raised. Similarly, arms 14 and 15 projecting from the respective upper corners of the upper sash through'slots 16 in the frame coextensive with the travel of the sash, and attached respectively to the outer and inner spans of the respective bights of the chain 99, enable the said upper sash to be similarly lowered or opened by turning its corresponding sprocket 3 to the right, or closed by the reverse action.

Any means for turningthe individual sprockets, or of moving the chain will result in operating the corresponding sashes, and is to be considered as embodying the spirit of my invention. For instance the sprockets, designated by the reference letters I and U in Figs. 4 and 5 may be mounted upon separate crank-shafts 17 which are journaled in the part 400 respectively gearingwith and adapted to drive the respective chains of the sashes. The manipulation of one crank will operate one of the sashes while that of the other will operate its corresponding sash. It is desirable however,

to operate the sashes from a single central,

station, separately or together at the will of the operator, and mechanism for this purpose is shown in Figs. 6 and 7, which mechanism is also adapted for positively locking the window sashes in any position so that that is,.with the r axes 1n alinement, each being provided with the hub 18 which is journaled in suitable bearings on the part 400, and the parts 30 and 31 which are fastened to theparts 400 on the sides of the sprockets opposite from those adjacent to the plate or bar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The sprocket 3 for operating the upper sash and which is the outermost, considered with respect to the interior of the room, has a central circular perforation extending through it concentric with its bearing for the reception of a cylindrical key or shaft 19, and the sprocket 4 corresponding to the lower sash has a corresponding perforation through it which is of rectangular cross section for a partof its length, or of some form by which a part that is inserted in-it may be prevented from turning therein.

Said perforation receives a corresponding sleeve key which is formed with the central bearing through it for the reception of the aforesaid cylindrical key 19. Said cylindrical key is provided with one or more radial splines, 20, adapted to engage corresponding radial slots 21 in the end of the hub of the sprocket 3 and it will be seen that if said key is inserted until said splines engage theislots of the sprocket that the revolution of the key by means of a crank handle 32,- mounted thereon will result in turning the sprocket and operating its corresponding chain, and the sashes thereto attached.

The sleeve key mounted on the cylindrical key 19 has 'a rectangular part or clutclr 22 for engaging the correspondingly shaped recess'in the hub of the sprocket 4 and the sleeve is held from turning upon the key 19 by a pin 33 secured in the shaft in engagement with a slot 34 provided in the sleeve. The sleeve is thus adapted to be revolved by the key 19 by means of the crank, and if the rectangular part 22 of the sleeve be engaged with the corresponding recess of the 115 sprocket 4 by longitudinal movement in relation thereto, the sprocket may be rotated by movement of the crank handle. Consequently, by means of this mechanism either one of the sprockets may be turned inde- 120 pendently by means of the key handle according as the key, or sleeve key is clutched with its corresponding sprocket, and both sprockets may be turned in unison or conjointly by simultaneous engagement" of both 135 the key and the sleeve key with their respective sprockets. correspondingly, through the intermediary chain gearing the upper sash may be operated independently of the lower, the lower independently of the upper,

191982138 lglll or both sashes may be operated together at the will of the operator.

It is important, that the sashes should be adapted to be locked stationary at all times except when being moved .or operated by the key, whether in the opened or closed position, and provision is made for such action through the-following mechanism: In the bearings of the respective sprocket wheels are pairs of pawls 23 which .are adapted to a limited radial movement in their seats in the bearings and are operated by gravity to engage notches 24 formed in series around the ends of the hubs of the sprockets which are turned away from the interior or the ends opposite to those which are provided with the shoulders for engagement of the key and its companion sleeve. The lower ends of the pawls are each shaped to present an inclined or beveled surface adapted to-be engaged by the ends of the key and the sleeve key and thus cammed upwardly to lift the pawls out of engagement with the notches of the sprocket hubs. Thus arranged, the insertion of the keys to place in the sprockets will raise the pawls and liberate them from holding the hubs of the sprocket wheels, and the same movement will engage the respective keys with the sprockets, provided that the parts are properly proportioned for such result. The proportion should" be such that the key shoulders 20 and 22 will engage the sprockets before the pawls let go thereof, then, in the reverse action of the keys, the disengagement of the key shoulders from their corresponding seats will not take place before the pawls engage the sprockets. By this provision the sprockets will remain locked from movement until after they arev positively clutched by the keys. Thus the sashes will be locked in position except when the crank handle ismanipulated for their operation when they will be unlocked to permit such adjustment. In order to provide for close action of the locking pawls Without interval between the seats which they engage, I provide a pair of pawls in each instance so that when one pawl is not in registration with the recess or seat that is, one pawl or the other of a pair will always be in engagement with the seat of the hub and there will be no interval of any appreciable extent when they are not so locked or Which represents lost motion of the sprocket or the sashes in their travel.

It will be understood thatany form of chain may be used for this gearing provided the operating sprockets are correspondingly designed and adaptedto such chain. The only part of the chain which needs to actually engage or gear with the sprocketis the portion of it corresponding to the length of the travel of one sash. This will be in the ordinary construction of Window sashes and as illustrated in Fig. 1 only a small fraction ofthe total length of the chain. It is obvious that wherever the chain passes over a pulley that the portion that actually bends around the pulley corresponds to about the length of travel of one of the sashes, hence there may be four portions of the chain each of nearly the length of the travel of the sash which may each comprise ,a single link, that is, be formed each of a single rod, or as shown in saidFig. 1 and designed by the reference letter H. Said solid parts of the chain may be formed of heavy bar, when it is desired to weight the windows and serve as a counterbalance for the sash.

It willbe understood thata single sash may be operated alone in situations where only one sash is employed, or required to be movable in such case involving the use of a single chain and sprocket only. It will also readily be perceived that instead of using a chain, a flexible tape or belt of leather, canvas or other suitable material, or a ribbon or flexible band, T, or brass, or other metal may be employed, the ribbon or tape having perforations 111 for the engagement of the teeth of the sprocket wheel, as shown in Fig. 6. It will further be seen that the ratchet mechanism may be omitted in circumstances when desirable and the sashes operated by a direct'pull u on the chains, the chains in such case bein left exposed or not incased for a portion of their length,

thus providing ready access to them for taking hold of and manipulating them directly, as for instance at one side of the frame, or at the transverse part. of the chain beneath the window sill.

In Fig. 5 showing a modification of the sprocket gearing which comprises 1 two sprockets placed upon separate axes, the shafts are provided with locking wheels B, on their outer ends and a double bolted lock D, is placed between them in such position that the bolts may be turned into engagement with the wheels by means of an ordinary key, thus holding the shafts stationary. In such case the removal of the key leaves the Windows securely locked and incapable of being opened without possession of the key.

at each side of the frame at one end thereof, and a pair of pulleys mounted at each side of the frame at the opposite end, and'an endless flexible carrier mounted upon the system of pulleys in a pair of reverse running lengths at each side of the frame, and a similar pair of reverse running sections in extension of the side lengths with the sash connected at its opposite sides to the respective lengths of the carrier having like direction of movement.

3. In window operating mechanism, the combination with a window frame, of a sash movable in the frame, a pulley mounted at each side of the frame at one end thereof, and' a pair of pulleys mounted at each side of the frame at the opposite end, an endless flexible carrier mounted upon the system of pulleys in a pair of reverse running lengths at each side of the frame, and a similar pair of reverse running sections in extension of the side lengths with the sash connected at its opposite sides to the respective lengths of the carrier having like direction of movement, and a sprocket Wheel gearing at its opposite sides respectively with and'adapted to operate the reverse running lengths of .the carrier.

4. In window operating mechanism, the combination with a Window frame, of a sash movable in the frame, a pulley mounted at each side of the frame at one end thereof, and a pair of pulleys mounted at each side of the frame at the opposite end, an endless flexible carrier mounted upon the system of pulleys in apair of reverse running lengths at each side of the frame, and

asimilar pair of reverse running sections in extension of the side lengths with the sash connected at its opposite sides to the respective lengths ofthe carrier having like direction of movement, a sprocket wheel gearing at its opposite sides respectively with and adapted to operate the reverse running lengths of the carrier, and locking mechanism for retaining the carrier in stationary condition to lock the sash in position.

5. In window operating mechanism the combination-of a window frame, sashes movable in the frame, an endless flexible operating'element mounted on pulleys in bights at the respective sides of the frame with the sash connected to the counter spans of the respective bights on opposite sides of the frame, sprocket wheels gearing with the chains, a shaft common to the sprocket wheels, clutches carried upon the shaftadapted to be engaged with the respective sprockets each independently of the other, and locking pawls for engaging the respective sprockets, disengageable by the clutch action of the clutches whereby the clutching mechanism and the locking mechanism are operated reciprocally as and for the purpose specified.

6. In window operating mechanism, the combination of a window frame, a pair of sashes movable in the frame, separate operating mechanisms for moving the respective sashes in the frame, separate gearing wheels for operating the respective mechanisms having axes in alinement, a. key insertible axially through the wheels, clutch mechanism carried by the key engageable with one of the wheels, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the key and held from rotation thereon provided with clutching shoulders engageable with the other wheel, locking pawls for holding the respective wheels stationary, and camming means between the key elements and the pawls for disengaging the pawls from the wheels by the engaging action of the key elements with the wheels.

Signed at New York, New York, this 14th day of March 1914.

ALBERT K. LOVELL.

Witnesses:

RITA WEISS, GEORGE L. BARNES. 

